Seoul to Bolster E-Cigarette Vending Machine ID Checks After Fake IDs Pass Test

Seoul is taking action to tighten security on e-cigarette vending machines after a stark inspection revealed their adult-authentication systems are easily defeated. Some machines were even fooled by fake identification featuring a cartoon character, prompting the city to initiate improvements.

During a recent inspection from April 24 to June 23, Seoul authorities tested 415 vending machines. They attempted to purchase cigarettes using five types of counterfeit IDs, including driver's licenses and resident registration cards with photos of fictional individuals and even the popular cartoon character "Baby Dinosaur Dooly." The results were alarming: 112 machines, about 27% of those checked, failed to reject any of the fake identification.

Following the inspection, Seoul requested vending machine operators to enhance their adult-authentication devices. However, officials acknowledge that resolving the issue quickly will be challenging. The city is now planning to convene a meeting with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Health Promotion Institute, and e-cigarette vending machine companies later this month. The goal is to discuss and implement more effective methods for identifying and rejecting fraudulent identification, ensuring that e-cigarettes are not sold to minors.